Easy Cold Brew Coffee with Cinnamon Vanilla Creamer

Ingredients

• 1 pouchDunkin’ Donuts Cold Brew Coffee Packs
• 7 cups (about 1.66 litres)water
• 1 can (397 g)sweetened condensed milk
• 1 cup (240 ml)milk (2%, whole, 1% or almond)
• 1 tspground cinnamon
• 1 tspvanilla extract
• to tasteice

Instructions

1. 1

   Add the coffee

   Open the pouch, which contains two coffee filter packs, and place both packs in a 2-quart (about 1.9-litre) pitcher.

2. 2

   Add initial water

   Pour 4 cups (about 950 ml) of water into the pitcher.

3. 3

   Steep the coffee

   Cover and steep in the fridge for 8–12 hours, or overnight.

4. 4

   Remove the packs

   Once steeping is complete, take the coffee filter packs out of the pitcher.

5. 5

   Dilute the coffee

   Stir in 3 cups (about 710 ml) of cold water. Add more or less water to suit your taste.

6. 6

   Mix the milks

   In a bowl, stir the sweetened condensed milk and milk together.

7. 7

   Add the flavourings

   Whisk in the ground cinnamon and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth.

8. 8

   Chill the creamer

   Transfer the creamer to an airtight container, such as a mason jar, and keep it in the fridge.

9. 9

   Serve over ice

   Pour the cold brew over ice if desired, then add creamer to taste.

10. 10

    Store the coffee

    Keep the cold brew in the fridge; one pitcher can last up to a week.

What is cold brew coffee?

Cold brew is coffee steeped in cold water rather than brewed with hot water and chilled afterwards. It is popular in the United States as a make-ahead drink for warm weather.

This version uses ready-packed coffee filters for a straightforward overnight steep, then adds a homemade creamer flavoured with cinnamon and vanilla.

Nutrition and macros by portion

The nutrition label shows one serving as written: 711 calories, 17g protein, 118g carbs, 18g fat.

Most of the carbohydrates and sugars come from the sweetened condensed milk, while the milk adds some protein and fat. The creamer also supplies most of the drink’s fat; serve with a piece of fruit or a savoury breakfast item if you want a more balanced plate.

Why use coffee packs?

Coffee packs: The pouch contains two filter packs, so the grounds stay contained while the coffee steeps. This makes it easy to remove them without straining the pitcher.

Getting the steep right

Steeping time: Leave the packs in the fridge for 8–12 hours or overnight, as directed. Removing them when the steep is finished keeps the method simple and avoids leaving the packs in the finished pitcher.

Dilution: Add the remaining 3 cups of cold water after removing the packs. You can adjust the amount to make the coffee stronger or milder to your liking.

Making smooth cinnamon creamer

Milk mixture: Stir the sweetened condensed milk and milk together before adding the flavourings. Whisk the cinnamon and vanilla in until the creamer looks smooth.

Milk choice: The recipe suggests 2% milk, but whole, 1% or almond milk can also be used. The choice changes the creamer’s richness and flavour.

Serving and texture

Ice: Pour the cold brew over ice if you like a chilled, refreshing glass. Add the creamer gradually so you can stop when the drink is as creamy as you want.

Cinnamon: Whisk the creamer well before serving if the cinnamon has settled during storage.

Make-ahead timing

Plan ahead: The coffee needs 8–12 hours to steep, so start it the night before you want to serve it. The creamer can be mixed and chilled while the coffee is steeping.

What to serve with it

Pairing: Serve this cold brew with breakfast pastries, toast or a simple snack. Its sweet, spiced creamer also works well alongside a lightly flavoured biscuit.

Recipe notes & tips

• Start steeping the coffee the evening before you plan to serve it.
• Use a pitcher large enough to hold the packs and the initial water comfortably.
• Add the final cold water gradually if you prefer a stronger brew.
• Whisk the creamer until the cinnamon is evenly distributed.
• Add creamer a little at a time so you can control the sweetness.
• Shake or stir the chilled creamer before pouring if the cinnamon settles.

Variations

• Whole milk: Use whole milk for a richer creamer.
• Almond milk: Replace the dairy milk with almond milk as suggested in the recipe.
• Milder coffee: Add a little extra cold water to the finished brew.
• Stronger coffee: Use less than the suggested 3 cups of final water.
• Extra cinnamon: Add a little more ground cinnamon for a more pronounced spice flavour.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Steeping too briefly: Give the coffee 8–12 hours in the fridge for the method’s stated steeping time.
• Leaving the packs in: Remove both filter packs once steeping is finished.
• Adding all the water at once: First steep with 4 cups, then add the remaining 3 cups after removing the packs.
• Lumpy creamer: Whisk the cinnamon and vanilla into the milk mixture until smooth.
• Over-sweetening the glass: Add the creamer to taste rather than pouring it all in at once.

How to store

Keep the cold brew in a covered pitcher in the fridge for up to a week, as stated in the recipe. Store the creamer separately in an airtight container in the fridge; shake or stir it before use. Serve both cold rather than reheating.

Frequently asked questions